Bad Wheel Bearing?

iminaquagmire · July 31, 2011

So i'm having all kinds of bad luck with my truck lately. Started with having all the stuff behind my passenger seat getting wet. I figured my girlfriend just left the window down when she used my truck or something since we've had a lot of rain. I figured out yesterday that the third brake light was leaking when I noticed the headliner started to stain. So I siliconed the light up since there is no new gasket to be had for the aftermarket LED one. Still have to shampoo the seats and carpet. Hopefully the headliner wont sag if that's done.

Then the service battery message came on last night. Battery was low so I stuck it on the charger for a few hours but there's still a message. So I think a new battery is in my future.

Besides that, with 33,000 miles my brakes are going. They aren't on the pins or anything but I know they're low. Besides them just not cutting it with the 22's and wide tires.

But that's not why I'm writing this. A few days ago I started hearing a squeak every now and then. It was only for a second and then gone. I couldn't figure out where it was. I don't drive very often in the truck since my daily commute is 100 miles. Then this morning it got more constant. Now its a lower pitched squealing. It still comes and goes but it goes away only for a few seconds at s time. I thought brakes at first but its independent of braking. It doesn't seem to be affected by turning too much. Its there under load and not so I think I ruled out anything drivetrain. Its 2WD so the only thing I can think of is wheel bearings.

The thing is it is a 2007 and has less than 33,000 miles. It has had 33" tires for the last 20,000 and now 22's but they aren't any heavier than the stock steel wheels. I did have a 2.5" CCM spacer for about 20,000 miles that is now off. I guess that could play a big part in it, but it still sounds premature.

I haven't had a chance to check for any play in the wheel yet, but does this sound like a bad hub/bearing to you guys?

iminaquagmire · August 1, 2011

I jacked the front end up yesterday but didn't feel any play in the wheel. It turns freely but squeaks as it does. I just can't tell if the brakes are catching or not. I'm going to jack it up again today and inspect the brakes for issues. I'm also going to order my new brakes in a few minutes. EBC rotors and pads should help with the bigger wheels and tires. These are also the most expensive wheel bearing assemblies I've seen. $280 from the parts store. $180 at Summit but its still crazy high to me.

spankrz · August 1, 2011

my truck did this for a while. when you do the brakes make sure to inspect the thin brackets the pads set in carefully. one of mine was scooting over and scraping the rotor just enough to make the most god-awful sound you have ever heard. if they are bad, go to the parts house and a set that covers both sides is about 10 bucks.

RaddHazzard · August 1, 2011

With new "good" brake pads you should get the bracket things included in the box.

iminaquagmire · August 1, 2011

Well I feel better now. Wheel bearings are fine. I took the driver side caliper off and it was pretty plain to see the inside pad was down to the squeal pin indicator. The outside looked almost new. I cant tell if it got hung up on the slide bracket or if the piston is bad or what. I'm thinking I might just replace the caliper on the driver's side when I do the brakes. I can't see a way to lube any caliper pins or anything because I can't even see any caliper pins to begin with. There are just two metric bolts that thread into a nut attached to the rubber boots on the pad holder. I have a bunch of picture but the card reader on my computer is acting up.

jblakeney · August 2, 2011

my truck did this for a while. when you do the brakes make sure to inspect the thin brackets the pads set in carefully. one of mine was scooting over and scraping the rotor just enough to make the most god-awful sound you have ever heard. if they are bad, go to the parts house and a set that covers both sides is about 10 bucks.

Brake Shims.......... Brake Pad Shims............. Anti-Rattle Clips.................. Thin brackets nooooo, Shims or rattle clips.....

Pull it apart and look...

Jbo

wavery · August 2, 2011

Sounds like you may have a sticky caliper piston. It could be that whoever did the brakes last, didn't grease the bolts when he put it back together but if it were me, I'd replace that caliper (seeing as you have it off anyway) and the pads on both wheels. Be sure to grease the caliper bolts before reassembling.

BTW....... wheel spacers play hell on your wheel bearings. It's a good thing that you got rid of them.

iminaquagmire · August 2, 2011

I wish there were a previous owner to blame but I've had the truck off the lot myself since 6 miles. It only has 33,000 now. I remember back when it had about 10,000 there were a few months where it squealed and pulsated during breaking. It got written off as crappy stock brakes as there was TSB at the time. I never got around to seeing what exactly was wrong and it went away shortly thereafter. Now I wonder...

But anyways, I have EBC slotted and dimpled rotors and EBC yellowstuff pads on the way. The brakes were getting done before any of this even started. The caliper is only 50 bucks with a core so that's not bad. Its less prep work when I paint it anyway. I may even replace the passenger side caliper too just for that reason. Illinois winters are brutal on unpainted steel and I would have hours of prep into painting.

I never had wheel spacers either. Just the same (or similar) lift spacer that 90% of the people on here have.

I'm going to get a new card reader and show the carnage later today. Its not good. Better than I expected than with a bad wheel spacer, but its still not good.

Stevens03 · August 2, 2011

Good to read it's not a wheel bearing or hub assembly. I had a friend who lost a front tire due to a bad hub assembly. Sounds like you've got the issue under control.

Rons05z71 · June 18, 2012

the bolts are the caliper slide pins., (The little rubber boots, they are in there) Just had this happen, one half worn down to metal, the other pad looked new. Caliper slide pins were seized and the caliper was not recentering itself, clean, wire brush and lubricate